Keep The Rez Beautiful board members Jeannine May (left) and Debra Veeder discuss how to get the Pearl River below Barnett spillway cleaned up.

Written by

Brian Albert Broom
bbroom@clarionledger.com

On the Pearl River above Ross Barnett Reservoir, temporary camps dot the shoreline and white sand beaches call to boaters who frequent them for picnics, parties and a spot to swim and cool down in the summer heat. Despite the heavy use, the beaches and islands are largely free of litter and signs are in place reminding boaters to take their trash with them when they leave.

Those who recreate upriver leave little more than footprints these days, but that wasn't always the case. Only a couple of years ago, trash containers were overflowing with garbage and beaches were littered with cans and other ...